Friday, 29 March 2019

Panic In Banking Industry As Innoson Motors Moves To Take Over GTBank Over N8.7bn Debt


Innoson Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s indigenous vehicle production company, has instituted a move to take over Guaranteed Trust Bank, GTB, following a ruling by the Supreme Court over the bank’s N8.7 billion indebtedness to the company.

The company’s chairman, Chief Dr Innocent Chukwuma, made the move through a “Writ of FiFa taken over Guaranty Trust Bank PLC for and on half of Innoson Nigeria Ltd” as a result of the Bank’s indebtedness to Innoson Nigeria Ltd.

In a landmark decision on February 27th 2019, the Supreme Court had dismissed GTB’s appeal marked SC. 694/2014- against the judgment of Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division.

The Court of Appeal, Ibadan division had in its decision of 6th February 2014 dismissed GTB’s appeal against the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division.

Thus, the Court of Appeal affirmed the judgment of the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division which ordered GTB by way of Garnishee order absolute – to pay N2.4 Billion to Innoson with a 22 per cent interest, per annum, on the judgment sum until the final liquidation of the judgment debt.

Rather than obey the judgment of the Court of Appeal, GTB approached the Supreme Court to challenge the Court of Appeal’s decision.

However, in a ruling delivered by Honourable Olabode Rhodes-Vivour JSC on Wednesday, “the Lord Justices of the Supreme Court (JSC) dismissed GTB’s appeal and thus affirmed the concurrent judgment of both the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division which ordered GTB by way of Garnishee order absolute – to pay N2.4 Billion to Innoson with a 22% interest, per annum, on the judgment until the final liquidation of the judgment.”

A statement by the Innoson group’s Head of Corporate Communications, Cornel Osigwe disclosed that “The Judgment debt of N2.4B has an accrued interest as at today of about N6,717,909,849.96 which results to about N8.8 Billion.

“Based on the Supreme Court’s decision of 27th February 2019 the counsel to Innoson, Prof McCarthy Mbadugha ESQ, had approached the Federal High Court, Awka Division for leave to enforce the judgment having obtained Certificates of Judgment from the Ibadan Division of the Federal High Court.

“Having obtained the requisite leave, the Federal High Court issued the necessary process for levying execution – the Writ of Fifa.”


Why I miss Cristiano Ronaldo – Messi


Barcelona superstar, Lionel Messi, has admitted he misses facing rival Cristiano Ronaldo, as the former Real Madrid forward gave “prestige” to LaLiga.

Ronaldo left Madrid to join Serie A giants Juventus last summer, after winning three consecutive Champions League titles with the club.

The Portuguese has continued to save his best for Europe’s elite club competition, with a hat-trick against Atletico Madrid firing Juve into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

The draw subsequently ensured Messi and Ronaldo cannot meet unless both clubs advance to the final.

“I miss Cristiano. Although it was a bit difficult to see him win trophies, he gave La Liga prestige.

“Juventus are a great candidate to win the Champions League since the arrival of Cristiano, and the match against Atleti must have given them a lot of confidence,” Messi told FM Club 947 in Argentina.


Zinedine Zidane's first disappointment at Real Madrid


The coach wanted Lucas Hernandez but the Frenchman has signed for Bayern

A Zidane se le ha escapado el primer fichaje que tenía en mente para el Madrid | AFP

Zinedine Zidane has suffered his first disappointment as Real Madrid coach in his second stint in charge. One of the key players he wanted to help restructure the squad was Atletico Madrid’s Lucas Hernandez, per OKDIARIO, but the Frenchman has signed for Bayern Munich.

When Madrid got in contact with his representative Manuel Garcia, the response was clear - they were too late. The deal with Bayern had been sealed and was announced for 80m euros.

After that disappointment, Madrid put the foot on the gas and signed Militao from Porto, a player Zidane didn’t mind signing even though he wasn’t on his own target list.

The reality is that Hernandez was a priority because he is more experienced and versatile, able to play at left-back and centre-back.


Tension as peeps come for Lagos Area Boy, MC Oluomo’s ‘head’ – See details of what happened!!


A chieftain of the National Union of Road Transportation Workers (NURTW), MC Oluomo Akinsanya, has said members of the union are professionals like those in law, engineering and the rest which has caused peeps on Twitter to come for his head.

According to the APC member, NURTW officials are not thugs and should not be treated with disdain by Nigerians.

“For your information, NURTW is a profession just like Law, engineering and Medical. We are not thugs but we are professionals,” he tweeted.

The comment has drawn wide condemnation by Nigerians on the social media site as Twitter is currently on fire with the name, MC Oluomo trending on Twitter with over 1,279 tweets as at the time of this report.

It can be recalled that MC Oluomo was stabbed during the All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos governorship campaign earlier in the year.

Meanwhile, check out what peeps are saying on Twitter:

I bet y’all saying shit about MC Oluomo on Twitter can’t say that when going to ikorodu inside a bus 🚌😂-agberos go change am for y’all user

— hausahiphoponlinews (@hausahiphoponl1) March 23, 2019


MC Oluomo, you dare compare your thuggish career in NURTW with the likes of doctors and lawyers🤣🤣🤣 Not your fault at all. It is the likes of Tinubu that make your types relevant for their evil ambitions.

— ELIJAH balogun (@ELIJAHbalogun12) March 23, 2019



Sanwoolu’s Cabinet: Rauf Aregbesola completes list of Members


As the clock ticks for the inauguration of Mr Babajide Sanwoolu and Dr Obafemi Hamzat as the Governor and Deputy Governor of Lagos State respectively, a the list of their cabinet members has been completely compiled.

PoliticsNGR was informed on Thursday that the immediate past governor of the state of Osun, Mr Rauf Aregbesola was given the task by the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos state.

Sources close to the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu revealed that he gave the job to Aregbesola as a trusted ally, who has been in charge of such ‘jobs’ before his election as governor of Osun State for two consecutive terms.

It was reliably gathered that the task was not actually monopolized by the Ilesha, Osun State-born politician, as we were told that he consulted all the necessary stakeholders across the three senatorial districts in the state to please everybody and make them relevant.

The offices to be filled include those of commissioners, special advisers, special assistants, board members, heads of agencies and parastatals, which shows that the compilation was obviously not an easy task.

Sources privy to the development revealed that the leadership of the party were meticulous about the whole arrangement so that they would put square pegs in square holes and avoid unnecessary mistakes. The plan, we were told, is to move Lagos State forward from being a mega city to a smart city, adding that the job could not be done by ‘neophytes’.

“The job was given to Engineer Rauf Aregbesola because he is familiar with the politics and workings of Lagos State.”

“Aregbesola was the Commissioner for Works under Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for eight years apart from being the political leader in Alimosho, which happens to be the biggest local government in the country in terms of population.”

“He has been consistent as one of the major players in Lagos politics and no one can question his authority once he carries Asiwaju Bola Tinubu along in whatever he wants to do,” said a source.

The list has been endorsed by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who only offered his own input and gave a final approval.

POLITICSNGR also learned that Candidates for the offices were thoroughly scrutinized even though most of them are people that have excelled in their various professions.

This is part of a grand plan to ensure that  Sanwoolu surpasses the achievements of the incumbent Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.


Born on 28 July 1970 in Ebute-Metta, Lagos, Oladipupo Awojobi is a graduate of Mass Communication from Ogun State Polytechnic, now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta. He was formerly a correspondent for Thisday Newspaper and Frontline magazine. He currently covers proceedings in the Lagos State House of Assembly.



Official! Madrid left-back joins Bayern Munich


German Bundesliga defending Champions, Bayern Munich have completed the signing of Atletico Madrid left-back, Lucas Hernandez, who was part of the France team that won the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

The 23-year-old Atlético Madrid and France defender has agreed to join the Bundesliga champions in June after Bayern met his €80m release clause. Bayern Munich have consented to an arrangement to sign Atlético Madrid and France left-back Lucas Hernández at the end of this current season in the wake of meeting the player’s 80-million-euro release clause.

Bayern have been observing the 23-year-old for quite a while and were close to signing him in the January window but Diego Simeone made it plain to the club’s progressive system that he needed the World Cup champion to stay at the Metropolitano. However, Hernández will presently move to the Bundesliga champions in the late spring subsequent to concurring terms on a five-year contract at the Allianz Arena.

Atlético de Madrid

@Atleti

Acuerdo con el @FCBayernES para el traspaso de Lucas Hernandez por el importe de su cláusula de rescisiónhttps://goo.gl/TZpfzk

4,238

17:23 – 27 Mar 2019

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2,522 people are talking about this

“I’m very happy to be able to sign one of the best defenders in the world, a World Cup winner, in Lucas Hernandez. Lucas can play both in central defence and at left-back. Moreover, Lucas will continue our great tradition of French footballers and improve our team,” Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said in a statement on the Bavarian club’s website.

The departure of Hernández will come as a blow to Argentine manager Diego Simeone and Atlético, with the club having been knocked out of the Champions League and viably the Liga title race after misfortunes to Juventus and Betis before the international break. To add injury to insult for Simeone, Bayern likewise declared that a knee issue that has sidelined Hernández as of late is not kidding enough for surgery to that after dialogs with Atlético it was concurred that the France safeguard would go under the blade in the coming days, effectively finishing his season and his Atlético vocation all at once.

“During the medical examination, we found damage to the medial collateral ligament in his right knee that must be remedied through surgery. Based on experience, Lucas Hernandez will be available for FC Bayern by the start of the 2019/20 Bundesliga season,” Bayern’s club doctor Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt was quoted as saying on the club website.



My dad got me N.35m job in Abuja to discourage me from politics —25-yr-old Oyo legislator-elect



Yusuf Adebisi

Yusuf Oladeni Adebisi is the youngest lawmaker in Oyo State since 1999 and could soon be confirmed as the youngest in Nigeria by INEC. At 25 going 26 in September, the first time legislator, who will represent the Ibadan South West Constituency 1 in the House of Assembly, speaks to Seyi Sokoya on his hopes and dreams for his people. Excerpts:

After the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) was announced winner of the Oyo State governorship election, reports had it that your father’s house at Oluyole Estate was invaded by miscreants and your grandmother was shot but he, Taye Currency, denied the story. What exactly happened?

The story was false. Nothing like that happened. An overzealous blogger posted the story to draw traffic but many later saw beyond his plan to blackmail my father. The fake news only confirmed that many online publishers either don’t know the ethics of journalism profession, or they don’t care about it. Sadly, that will only cost them some of their followers. We appreciate what Nigerian Tribune did to reach out to us to confirm things. That man never bothered to hear our side of the story. Anyway, there was no story. My father was not attacked and my grandmother wasn’t shot. For us, we have moved on. For the other bloggers, I advise that there should be a bit of decorum or else many will not rely on online publications for authentic stories again.

How did the rumour affect you?

Not in any way. Although I was at the collation center to monitor the counting, I wasn’t bothered a bit because we had no reason to be worried or afraid. I had spoken to my grandmother hours before the story broke and she was only eager about the results. The house was actually full of visitors and well wishers.

Are you worried that angry people might come after your father for openly supporting Seyi Makinde in the election?

We are from Ibadan. I was born in this city and grew up among other indigenes. My life, my grandmother’s, father’s and that of others are in God’s hands. Since we have never wished evil for anyone, I don’t see reason why anyone should wish our family evil. My father chose to support PDP, why should it become an issue? Many others have been doing the same for the opposition party for almost two decades and nobody wished them evil. Oyo people wanted someone new, someone fresh and the governor elect, Makinde, met their aspirations. My father supported former governor Alao-Akala eight years ago and he lost, but heaven did not fall. He chose to be loyal to the party, so, why should some people be angry that his preferred candidate won the election? Life goes on. You can’t win every time. I am not delusional that I will be here forever, but while I’m here, I want to do my best and let others continue after me. That’s the beauty of life and politics.

Why did you become a politician?

Service. Pure and simple. Not many can serve, but I am among the few who love to render service to people.

As your first job, shouldn’t you have tried something else to prepare for this job?

You are wrong. This is not my first job. I have tried my hands on many things in life. Some had been successful while others nearly wrecked me.

So, this is not your first job?

No. Not many people know what I have gone through in my life. I like it like that. It Is a personal thing. The ups and downs, being poor and rich, etc., that’s what life is about. I am in the fishery, poultry and charcoal business. I started out few years back and I’ve never stopped. I get my supplies of charcoal from Saare in Ilorin, a village in Kwara State, and take it to the city to sell. Sometimes I sell to few clients in Ibadan. I am planning to expand to Lagos and Ogun states. I supply to bakeries and canteens. If I had not been elected into the state House of Assembly, I would have fallen back to my businesses. Many people assume that I had never done anything in my life and that I got everything on a platter of gold. Well, that is not true. I lost lots of birds in 2015/16 but still didn’t give up. That was when my poultry was at Omi. I lost a lot of money. However, my poultry presently at Oluyole is doing well. In life, never give up. My fishery too is at Oluyole. I now export smoked fish to the United Kingdom and the United States. As successful as it sounds, I also suffered a big loss when someone stole almost 500,000 fishes from my ponds a few days before the naming ceremony of my daughter. That was on November 9 last year.

You are already a father?

A family man sir. I also have a wife. She is a housewife but she’s into fashion designing. I am not a loud person, but I enjoy my life and am grateful to God for what he has been doing for me.

Talking about father, did he support your decision to go into politics?

He didn’t at first. He believed that politics in Nigeria is meant for only the extremely rich and connected. He wanted me to work in a company like other educated young ones and  promised to get me a job in Abuja but I told him my mind was made up about politics. I continued working underground with a dear friend, Mr Tope Eluyefa. The two of us were the only ones who started the journey together. My dad later reported me to Mr Eluyefa, but he was shocked when Eluyefa suggested to him that I should be allowed to make some decisions in life and face the consequences. My dad was livid. ‘So, you will watch as your brother makes this rash decision’ was what my dad told Tope and he stormed out of the house that day. A few days after, I went to him. He told me he had got a job for me in Abuja that paid N350,000 each month. He expected me to jump at the offer but I stood my ground. By then, I had already printed copies of pin up badges that had my picture and that of our governor-elect, Engineer Seyi Makinde on it and was going to show it to him. When he saw it, he shouted; “yeepa, o ti lo to bayii” (so you have gone this far). I never approached him for money all the while. I just wanted his acceptance, but he was difficult, while I was determined.

To what extent?

To the extent of doing what I had made up my mind to do without his support. But I preferred to have him on my side, even if I failed. So, when he saw the badge, he asked why I was so stubborn and insisted on wanting to become a politician. I told him I felt the need to help our people.

From a fisherman to a lawmaker, do you feel different somehow, maybe some pressure?

Not at all. I wanted to be given an opportunity to serve and now my people have given it to me. I can’t wait to get to work with my other colleagues who are either new or old in the House.

Aren’t you worried about making mistakes as a rookie?

The professionals out there started as greenhorns. Who doesn’t fail? It is what we do with it that matters. If one fails and refuses to turn it around, that’s when we can say someone is a failure. Even our elders fail. A man must learn to fall and rise. Like I told you, I have experienced failures in my life, but I never gave up. I learned from each fall. Again, that one rises does not mean one won’t fall again. Life is about good and bad, rise and fall, failures and successes. How you respond to each side of the coin matters a lot.

What is uppermost in your mind as you go to represent your constituency in the state House of Assembly?

To push for bills that will impact the lives of the people of our state and also pursue projects that will positively affect my people. They come first for sure. A lot is now on me and I have to do my best to deliver.

Where would you like to see yourself, your constituency and Oyo State in four years?

Let me start with my constituency, which is Ibadan South West 1. We have six Wards there. Can you believe that there is not a single school there? So, why should anyone be surprised that we are considered the dregs of the society? Education is very important. My people want to send their children to schools, but we don’t have one. I want to do something about it. Again, in the area of health services, what we have is a glorified health care centre, not a hospital. You only get paracetamol for any medical problem. I also want that stigma of ‘thugs’ removed from my people and community. If I can get an education in life, provided by a father that could have ended up in the same circle of ignorance, I won’t be here preaching about attainable education. I have a first degree in History and International Relations from Al-Hikmah University in Ilorin, and a Master’s degree in the same course from LAUTECH. I also completed my mandatory youth scheme in Oyo. All that I have, all that I know, won’t matter if I don’t share it with people. I’m not talking about money. I’m talking about ideas, opportunities, contacts, etc. I am a Muslim who values lives.

Lastly, I want to be able to bring cleanliness to the constituency. I always cover my face in shame whenever I read in the papers that we are a dirty people. We are not. It is a product of the environment. The interiors of Ibadan are not well planned. Go there after heavy rains and you’ll never believe that people live with much dirts in a community. Do you think they like it like that? Of course not. My people also want to live decently, but no one is even looking in their direction. We need to carefully educate our people on the dangers of living in dirty environments. I hope they will give me their ears when we begin to visit them to discuss ideas on how to make the community safe to live in.

You really sound ready

As a politician, I am ready. As a mere mortal, I’m also ready, but I am aware of my frailties and I know that it’s not everything we plan to do that gets done. I will do my best and hope that it will be enough for the people. If I make mistakes, I will admit it and see how I can work harder on doing what’s best for my constituency. If I make decisions that don’t end well, I’ll retrace my steps. I could have started my political career from the Ward or the Local Government level, but the third tier of government has been decimated; rendered inactive. That’s rather sad.

Well, you are now a lawmaker. Do you intend to do anything in that area?

You mean the restoration of autonomy to the Local Government?

Yes.

Of course I’d love that. The people want it because it’s the nearest level of governance to the grassroots. Speaking for myself, I want governance restored to the grassroots. That way, we won’t be looking up to the federal government or state for almost everything. Nigerians know that Local Government thrived very well under the PDP. It was APC that killed that tier of government, especially in the South West. I hope our seniors in Abuja will do something about Local Government autonomy.

Wednesday, 27 March 2019

Does My Ex Want Me Back? 25 Signs Your Ex-Girlfriend/Wife Surely Does!


So you’re sitting there and if you’re honest, you’re missing her – your ex. No need to deny it. Even if you tell me you don’t miss her, I won’t believe you anyway because I’ve been through the same stage you’re at right now.

I mean come on man, any dude who’s asking questions like, “Does my ex want me back, and what are the signs that she will come back?”, is surely missing her.

Okay so that’s established and it’s only natural after the good times you guys had together. I completely get it and I’d probably be doing the exact same online research you’re doing right now if I was currently in your situation.

But now you’re wanting to know if the feeling is mutual from your ex’s end. Does SHE want YOU back? And what generally are the signs that a girl wants you back, and will come back?

That’s THE question this article will give you the answer to – the question of how to know if your ex wants you back. Because I imagine your ex has been doing certain things lately, and you basically want to know if what she’s been doing means she wants you back, or if they don’t. You need an answer.

So what I’ll do is list the most common signs that your ex-girlfriend wants you back, and you can crosscheck her behavior lately, against those signs.

If she’s given any of the signs that an ex wants you back below, then there’s every chance that if you play your cards right and don’t mess up, you’ll be able to get her back fairly soon.

The signs your ex wants you back:

She seems emotional but refuses to see you

She agrees to hang out with you (or better yet, she suggests it herself)

She tells you (or someone you know) that she wishes things had turned out better between you

She messages you or calls you FIRST to see how you’re doing

She replies to your messages quickly

She replies to your messages with longer texts than the ones you send

She ‘likes’ photos of you on social media even if you’ve not spoken to her recently

Her friends or family ask you questions about…you

She waits several weeks to get her stuff back from you

She literally says, “I want to get back together”

She asks if you’re seeing anyone at the moment

In conversation, she brings up the failures (or successes) of the relationship you guys had

She mentions that she’s not seeing anyone right now and has no intention to do so anytime soon

She shows a willingness to do things for you (offers lifts etc)

She’s flirty with you

She goes out of her way to explain something she did regarding you

She talks about her future as if you will be in it

She tries to make you jealous either on social media or in person

She’s suddenly stopped arguing with everything you say or do and has become surprisingly more agreeable

She sleeps with you now and then

She’s touchy feely with you

When she looks at you, she seems kinda mesmerised and looks deep into your eyes, as if what you’re saying is super important to her

She seems nervous or anxious around you

She repeatedly looks or stares at you

She turns up somewhere she knows you’ll be

Saturday, 23 March 2019

Reports: Juventus to offer Paulo Dybala plus cash for Cristiano Ronaldo's new strike partner


Juventus want Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and are ready to offer Paulo Dybala plus cash in a bid to see the transfer through in the summer.

Tuttomercatoweb reports, via Football Italia,  that Juventus are interested in Liverpool standout Mo Salah and that they are willing to use Argentinian playmaker Paulo Dybala as makeweight in a player plus cash move this summer, should the move for first choice transfer target Federico Chiesa fall through.

According to the report, Paratici is interested in the Egyptian right attacker as he has prior experience in the Italian league with Fiorentina and Roma, before he made the move to Liverpool.

Mo Salah awkwardly dances with African POTY award at vibrant ceremony

Salah, 26, hasn’t hit the dizzying heights of the previous season but is still very much in the running to be the top scorer in the Premier League with 17 goals in 31 league appearances.

He has scored 20 goals and set up 9 more in all competitions this season.

However, it is expected that a huge money offer will be required to force Liverpool’s hand, prompting Juventus to throw Paulo Dybala into the mix to soften their stance in a bid to purchase a new strike partner for Cristiano Ronaldo.

FOX Sports Asia probability rating: 2/5;Juventus may want to sign Mo Salah but it is highly unlikely that Liverpool will part with him.


Thursday, 14 March 2019

El-Rufai, Other APC Governors, Leaves Aso Rock in Shame, After Emergency Meeting with Buhari


El-Rufai, Other APC Governors, Leaves Aso Rock in Shame, After Emergency Meeting with Buhari

Five All Progressives Congress, APC, Governors, led by Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, on Tuesday, held a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

The meeting, which was at the instance of El-Rufai, was aimed at pressuring the President to help save the Governors of Adamawa, Kano, Bauchi, and Plateau State, from a humiliating ouster, in the March 9, Governorship and House of Assembly elections.

Joining El-Rufai at the meeting were, Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), and Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa).

The source said that El-Rufai’s team tried to convince the President that: “If the Governors of Adamawa, Plateau, Kano, andBauchi States, are sacked in this manner, it will be a slap on the APC as a whole, therefore Mr. President must find wade into the matter to save the situations.”

However, the source further revealed that: “Given the President’s stance on corrupt practices, there is no hope in view for the mission.”

Recall, that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared the Governorship elections inconclusive in seven States, with no clear-cut guarantee yet that the ruling party will eventually emerge victorious.

Diego Simeone fianally reacts to the ‘stupid thing’ Ronaldo did after scoring a hattrick against Atletico Madrid


Diego Simeone insists he has no problem with Cristiano Ronaldo’s celebration following Juventus victory over Atletico Madrid last night. For the 52nd time in his career and the fourth against Atleti, Ronaldo scored a hat-trick to end the Spanish side’s hopes of winning the Champions League on home soil.

Atletico led 2-0 from the first leg of their last 16 clash, but Ronaldo’s threesome in Turin – culminating with an 86th minute penalty – earned Juve a 3-2 aggregate success. Simeone stole headlines with his celebration at the Wanda Metropolitano three weeks ago, and he was mimicked by the Portuguese superstar at the Allianz Stadium after his conversion from 12 yards.


But a downbeat Simeone, speaking post-match, had no grudge to bear towards the ex-Real Madrid man. “ Cristiano Ronaldo is the best in the world, he can put in these performances on big nights,” said the Argentine. “He will have seen how I did it at the Wanda Metropolitano and, like me, was trying to show his character.”

Ronaldo’s gesture 

Simeone’s side were deserving first-leg winners and took a commanding lead to Italy. But they failed to manage a single shot on target, and Simeone admitted his side had simply been beaten by the better side.


“Juventus played better. There was the chance with Alvaro Morata’s header, but not much else. Juve continually pushed forward and entered into our penalty area, so we had to defend.


“I have to congratulate Juve, because they attacked very well. They did better and deserved the victory. It’s true, we made mistakes too, but they did better tactically and on the second balls.

In the end Juve simply had too much for their visitors 

“Juventus played in a similar way to what we did in the first leg. We struggled and they deservedly go through to the quarter-finals. “I don’t think it was our worst performance, nor did I see a lack of character. They simply played better and we have to congratulate them.


“I think Juve’s greatest strength is their pressing capability. Even when we did escape their pressing, we weren’t good enough on the second balls. “I want to be clear, we didn’t go out because we played badly, but because Juventus played well. When that happens, you just have to tip your hat to the opposition.”

What Lionel Messi said about Cristiano Ronaldo's Champions League hat-trick


The Portuguese star netted a brilliant hat-trick to send Juventus into the quarter-finals while Messi bagged a brace vs Lyon

Lionel Messi has admitted Cristiano Ronaldo's "magical" Champions League hat-trick was "impressive".

Superstar Ronaldo bagged a brilliant treble to almost single handedly drag Juventus past Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last-16.

Ronaldo's goals helped his side overcome a two-goal deficit from the first-leg on Tuesday night.

Ronaldo's Balon d'Or rival Messi watched the magical performance before having his own quality-filled European night to assist Barcelona past Lyon on Wednesday.

Not to be outdone, Messi bagged a brace of his own at the Nou Camp.


(Image: ALBERTO ESTEVEZ/EPA-EFE/REX)

The Argentine cheekily lifted a Panenka penalty in to get Barca on their way to a 5-1 on the night win and a place in the quarter-finals.

Messi also netted the third goal and said after the victory: "The thing about Cristiano and Juventus yesterday was impressive, it was a big surprise, Juventus went over Atletico, I hoped they would make more strength"

"Juventus has a lot of potential and Cristiano had a magical night."

Philippe Coutinho, Gerard Pique and Ousmane Dembele also got on the score sheet to put Barca in Friday's draw - where they could face Ronaldo's Juventus.


Ronaldo scored a sensational treble on Tuesday

Premier League sides Liverpool ,Manchester United and Manchester City along with Porto and Ajax are also potential opponents.

Diego Maradona was also impressed by Ronaldo's performance against Atleti.

Maradona said: “There are players who have been touched by a magic wand. We Argentines are proud that Lionel Messi is Argentinian.

"The other one is an animal. Ronaldo is pure power, and now he’s also a sorcerer. He said he’d score three goals and he scored three goals.”


Monday, 11 March 2019

Reports: Zinedine Zidane agrees to join Real Madrid on one condition


What’s the rumour?

Real Madrid Press Conference

Former Real Madrid player and managerZinedine Zidane has agreed to join the club, but not right now. Santiago Solari’s Madrid lost three home games in a row, resulting in the side getting knocked out of three competitions.

While mathematically, the league may still be a possibility, winning from 12 points behind Barcelona isn’t really realistic. As a result, Santiago Solari’s job hangs in the balance.

In case you didn’t know…

Zinedine Zidane left the Madrid job last summer as he thought that he could no longer win with the team he had. Julen Lopetegui was subsequently appointed but the former Spain manager was sacked just a few months later.

Santi Solari was then given the job and while his team had a sudden boost in form, all of it came crumbling down last week.

The heart of the matter

As a result, the Galacticos called the former French World Cup winner to take over the reins once more at the Bernabeu. However, according to the reliable (when it comes to Madrid news) Jose Luis Sanchez, Zidane has refused to take over immediately, but instead will wait until the summer.

The condition is that he will be given full control of the team to oversee a complete renovation of the squad.

Rumour rating: 7/10

Jose Luis Sanchez is usually very reliable when it comes to Real Madrid news. As a result, it would be safe to assume that Madrid did call the Frenchman but whether he would actually join in the summer remains to be seen.

What’s next?

Real Madrid have literally nothing to play for right now. They might make life harder for themselves by losing more games and putting Champions League qualification in jeopardy but that is unlikely to happen. 

Wednesday, 6 March 2019

Ramos gives condition to Real, if they must appoint Mourinho


Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has issued condition to Los Blancos' board if they must appoint Jose Mourinho as the next manager of the club.

Ramos made it clear that his preferred Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino ate the Portuguese manager but should Mourinho still be chosen, he wants Raul Gonzalez as the Portuguese’s assistant.

The defender considers that the former Real Madrid player will perform perfectly as the mediator who will need the team between players and coach if the coach is finally Portuguese.

He sees Raúl as the necessary piece to avoid the fires that will almost certainly happen with Mou on the bench.

Mourinho had issues with several top players at the club during his three years reign as a manager at the Bernabeu dugout.

The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss won the La Liga and the Copa del Rey for Real Madrid before he was sacked by Florentino Perez in 2103.

Trouble for Messi and Barcelona as Real Madrid fans name the manager they want after Ajax Humiliation


Furious Real Madrid fans chanted Jose Mourinho’s name outside the Bernabeu – and called for Santiago Solari to resign – after crashing out of the Champions League on Tuesday. Jose Mourinho has had considerable success against The Catalonians in recent times. The former Real Madrid manager won the La Liga ahead Barcelona in record breaking style in 2012, something Santaigo Solari might never be able to do.


Los Blancos were dumped out of Europe’s elite competition by Ajax in the last-16 stage after losing 4-1 in front of their stunned home supporters. After the match, as caught on camera by Spanish publication AS, furious Real Madrid fans staged a protest outside the Bernabeu, and chanted for underfire boss Solari to stand down.


Fans were also heard chanting the name of former manager Jose Mourinho, who is currently out of work after being sacked by Manchester United back in December. Real Madrid have looked a shadow of themselves this season following Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo’s departures. Julen Lopetegui was Zidane’s initial successor but was sacked after just four and a half months following a shocking 5-1 defeat by bitter rivals Barcelona.


Solari has failed to turn Los Blancos fortunes around and is now staring unemployment in the face. Mourinho has been strongly linked with a return to Real Madrid in recent weeks, and spoke about the club in a recent interview.


He told Deportes Cuatro: “I have fantastic memories. Working at Real Madrid is a unique experience and different to the rest of the clubs I have been at. We did fantastic things and we won the league in a unique way. We also had bad moments, I made mistakes, but the experience made me a better manager and person.”


Meanwhile, Barcelona stars could not help but take a dig at thier eternal rivals following the disappointing result at Santiago Berbabeu.  Luis Suarez was among the Barcelona favourites to poke fun at Real Madrid after they were knocked out of the Champions League on Tuesday night. The former Liverpool striker took to Twitter after the game to react to Real Madrid’s 4-1 defeat by Ajax; the team he played for before moving to Anfield.


Suarez quote tweeted the Dutch club’s official account confirming the result, writing: “Congratulations, I have always been a fan of Ajax.” The forward isn’t the only Barcelona-connected star to comment on Los Blancos’ shock last-16 defeat at the Bernabeu. The former captain of the Catalan club Carlos Puyol simply posted: “OMG,” alongside celebratory and shocked face emoji’s after the match.

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PEOPLE-PLEASER   Many people engage in people-pleasing without realising it, and the worst part is that it often leads to resentment when ot...